Qatar now offers a free 96 hour visa!
Sep 27, 2016, 2:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 162
Qatar now offers a free 96 hour visa!
Fantastic news - http://www.qatarairways.com/uk/en/pr...se_tourismvisa
Basically, no more QNB cards/fees/lines - 96 hours max works perfectly between flights if you have friends living in Doha and you can visit in the day.
A wonderful move forward for Qatar, and I'll be using it rather than staying in the airport.
Basically, no more QNB cards/fees/lines - 96 hours max works perfectly between flights if you have friends living in Doha and you can visit in the day.
A wonderful move forward for Qatar, and I'll be using it rather than staying in the airport.
Sep 27, 2016, 2:38 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Well I feel a bit of a wally! I wasn't even aware of the old visa scheme until I read the weblink just now. I've probably wasted a good few hundred QAR in visa fees over the past two years while overnighting in Doha hotels.
Sep 27, 2016, 4:05 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
Me too ... How does one avail of this ? ( will it be up and running in 10 days time ?)
Any time previously I've just handed over the credit card with the passport at the immigration desk and paid the fee - There didn't seem to be any other option before ( not well advertised at least )
Any time previously I've just handed over the credit card with the passport at the immigration desk and paid the fee - There didn't seem to be any other option before ( not well advertised at least )
Sep 27, 2016, 5:22 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
Ah
Ah. I was hopeful that my 2-4 hour transits would allow me to stand outside the airport and suck in some fresh air. I do genuinely dislike being in an airport that is 100% restricted air conditioning. A little stroll outside departures / arrival inbetween flights is a wonderful thing if they don't have outdoor areas in transit 
a minimum transit time of five hours in Hamad International Airport,
Sep 27, 2016, 5:36 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,697
Leaking roof causes floods at Doha's $15bn Hamad International Airport
Sep 27, 2016, 8:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
For those who like to run, I highly recommend jogging on the bicycle path outside DOH airport. Details and instructions at http://www.benedelman.org/travel/running/ . Perfect to build up an appetite for the next flight!
Sep 28, 2016, 5:43 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
Yes and looking at the Qatar Airways site with the link to the Visa info from the TIMATIC(?) system there's no mention of this change yet ... only mentions the old transit visa which was only valid in conjunction with a STPC package sponsored by the carrier [ which just going into Doha into a hotel you'd arranged yourself clearly wouldn't be ]
I'm there in 10 days time so will report back on what my experience is .. in the meantime if anyone has any other ideas as to how this might actually work and if it would be possible to save the visa fee then that would be great !
I'm there in 10 days time so will report back on what my experience is .. in the meantime if anyone has any other ideas as to how this might actually work and if it would be possible to save the visa fee then that would be great !
Sep 28, 2016, 9:47 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leicestershire / Dubai
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite & Lifetime Gold, Heathrow Rewards Premium, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 659
Would be good to know exactly how this works.
I have an 8 hour transit from DXB>DOH en route to BHX.
As it'd be a transit visa, I assume one would need to follow the exit signs and go through passport control/customs etc and the leave the hold luggage behind since? (Seems a bit weird doing so as I've never exited an airport without my bags before!).
I have an 8 hour transit from DXB>DOH en route to BHX.
As it'd be a transit visa, I assume one would need to follow the exit signs and go through passport control/customs etc and the leave the hold luggage behind since? (Seems a bit weird doing so as I've never exited an airport without my bags before!).
Sep 28, 2016, 2:54 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London
Posts: 9
Would be good to know exactly how this works.
I have an 8 hour transit from DXB>DOH en route to BHX.
As it'd be a transit visa, I assume one would need to follow the exit signs and go through passport control/customs etc and the leave the hold luggage behind since? (Seems a bit weird doing so as I've never exited an airport without my bags before!).
I have an 8 hour transit from DXB>DOH en route to BHX.
As it'd be a transit visa, I assume one would need to follow the exit signs and go through passport control/customs etc and the leave the hold luggage behind since? (Seems a bit weird doing so as I've never exited an airport without my bags before!).
Sep 29, 2016, 6:28 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold, LH SEN , A3*G & others less exciting that don't fit in my wallet
Posts: 1,657
Would be good to know exactly how this works.
I have an 8 hour transit from DXB>DOH en route to BHX.
As it'd be a transit visa, I assume one would need to follow the exit signs and go through passport control/customs etc and the leave the hold luggage behind since? (Seems a bit weird doing so as I've never exited an airport without my bags before!).
I have an 8 hour transit from DXB>DOH en route to BHX.
As it'd be a transit visa, I assume one would need to follow the exit signs and go through passport control/customs etc and the leave the hold luggage behind since? (Seems a bit weird doing so as I've never exited an airport without my bags before!).
Sep 29, 2016, 8:40 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
This was discussed on a thread in 2010/2011 and as far as I remember the conclusion was that it was only available for QR arranged stopover packages, not STPC. This new move seems to be more flexible and apparently opens up for 'private' stopovers.